UAV Direct Communication Authentication Using A2X Security Policy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communications systems, particularly 5G systems, lack robust security protocols for uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), making them vulnerable to attacks and unauthorized control, such as UAV hijacking and eavesdropping.
Innovation Solution
Implementing aircraft-to-everything (A2X) security policies and authentication mechanisms for UAVs to ensure secure command and control (C2) and detect and avoid (DAA) operations, including provisioning UEs with U2X service lists and security policies to authenticate and authorize direct communication links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing 5G wireless communications systems are used for UAV operations, then basic communication functionality is provided, but security protocols are insufficient and the system is vulnerable to attacks and unauthorized control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing security policies and authentication mechanisms before UAV communication occurs. The network side device provisions security parameters and policies to the UAV in advance, and the UAV stores authorized controller identifiers beforehand. This pre-establishment of security frameworks enables reliable authenticated communication without requiring complex real-time security decision-making during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network side device as an intermediary between the UAV and potential unauthorized controllers. This intermediary entity manages the security policies, authenticates communication requests, and enforces authorization decisions. By centralizing security management in the network side device, the system achieves enhanced security without burdening the UAV with overly complex security processing capabilities.
2Reliability
If security policies and authentication mechanisms are implemented for UAV communications, then unauthorized access and eavesdropping are reduced, but communication setup complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the UAV to autonomously perform security verification using pre-stored authorized controller identifiers and received security policies. The UAV independently compares controller identifiers against authorized lists and evaluates security policy compliance without requiring continuous manual intervention or complex centralized processing. This autonomous verification simplifies the operational burden while maintaining strong authorization controls.
3Adaptability or versatility
If direct communication links are established between UAV and controller, then command and control operations are enabled, but the system becomes vulnerable to hijacking and eavesdropping without proper security protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing authentication and authorization mechanisms that prevent hijacking and eavesdropping attempts before they can succeed. The network side device provisions security policies that explicitly authorize or deny specific controller-UAV connections. By establishing these security frameworks in advance and continuously verifying communication legitimacy, the system proactively counteracts potential hijacking and eavesdropping threats rather than reacting to them after occurrence.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a user equipment (UE) for wireless communication configured to receive an aircraft-to-everything (A2X) security policy and sends, to a uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) controller (UAV-C), a request for direct communication and associated with a UAV service. The request message includes the A2X security policy. The UE may receive, from the UAV-C, a response based on verifying the A2X security policy, where the response indicates whether the request for the UAV service is accepted or rejected. The UE may experience a decreased likelihood of being compromised by a malicious attacker (e.g., a malicious UE).